Today we’d like to introduce you to Dustin Blackson.
Hi Dustin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story begins with my grandparents. As a child, I listened to them tell stories about their upbringing and visited the places where they grew up, which gave history a personal meaning for me. One day, while going through my grandfather’s old documents, I found a list of names with our shared surname. That discovery sparked my interest in genealogy, which quickly grew into a broader passion for history. I became especially interested in coal mining—because of my grandfather begin working in the coal mines in Harlan County, Kentucky—and in the golden age of Hollywood, inspired by the classic films and television shows we watched together.
As I got older, that early curiosity turned into action. I began attending Civil War reenactments and visiting museums, eventually enrolling in college to deepen my understanding. After my grandfather passed away from cancer in 2017, I started traveling, and those trips to museums and historic sites reignited and expanded my passion—particularly into the American Revolution, which led me to join the Sons of the American Revolution. When I noticed people sharing their travels and passions online, I decided to create Historic Explorations as a way to share my love for history—ranging from Appalachia and coal mining to entertainment and beyond. Today, that platform reflects how a childhood curiosity grew into a lifelong mission to explore, preserve, and share the stories that connect us to the past.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. When my grandmother passed away in December 2024, it felt like the center of my world went quiet. I had spent so much of my life caring for her and drawing inspiration from both her and my grandfather. Historic Explorations was born out of their influence, so when she was gone, I questioned whether the work still had meaning. The grief was overwhelming — even the things that once brought me joy felt heavy. There were moments when I seriously considered stepping away from it all because I wasn’t sure who I was without that daily connection to her.
With my grandparents gone, I began to see my life less as a monument to the past and more as part of an ongoing narrative. For a time, I felt like an archivist of their memory — preserving their stories, safeguarding their values, and ensuring their legacy remained intact. But history is not meant to be frozen; it is meant to move forward through those who inherit it.
I came to understand that I am not simply a custodian of what they left behind. I am the next chapter. Their experiences, sacrifices, and wisdom form part of my foundation, but they do not define the entirety of who I am. Just as generations before them shaped their world while forging their own identities, I must do the same.
Honoring them does not require me to live in their shadow. Instead, it calls me to build something distinct, informed by their influence but marked by my own choices and convictions. In that way, their legacy is not preserved in stillness — it continues through growth, adaptation, and the creation of a life that is unmistakably my own.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
As the founder of Historic Explorations, I inspire and promote a deeper appreciation for history at every level. My work begins at home in the Appalachian Mountains and the coalfields of Southwest Virginia, where I focus on preserving and promoting the rich local stories that have shaped my community. From coal camps and mountain towns to regional traditions and family legacies, I specialize in highlighting the voices and experiences that often go unheard. At the same time, I expand that lens outward—connecting local Appalachian history to the broader story of America and the world, while also weaving in my passion for entertainment and classic Hollywood. For me, history isn’t confined to one place or time; it’s a living, breathing continuum.
What I’m most proud of is the way I listen—especially to older generations. I’ve built much of my work around hearing their stories, valuing their memories, and turning those conversations into something lasting and meaningful. I believe that’s what truly sets me apart. I don’t treat local, national, global, or entertainment history as separate lanes; instead, I blend them together to show how interconnected our stories really are. By weaving those narratives together, I aim to make history relatable and exciting, particularly for younger generations who may not yet see themselves reflected in it. If I can inspire someone to ask a grandparent a question, visit a historic site, or view their hometown as part of a larger story, then I know Historic Explorations is doing exactly what it was meant to do.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
One of my favorite childhood memories is sitting with my grandparents and listening to their stories, especially when those stories came to life on the road. We would take trips back to Harlan County, Kentucky, where they grew up, and I remember seeing the mountains through their eyes — not just as scenery, but as home. They would point out places from their childhood, share memories tied to certain roads and hollers, and suddenly history felt alive and personal. I wasn’t just hearing about the past; I was standing in it. Those trips made me feel connected to something bigger than myself, like I was walking through the pages of my own family story.
One trip that stands out in particular was when we visited Berea, Kentucky, where my grandfather’s brother and sister lived. I remember fishing on his sister’s private pond — quiet water, mountain air, and the kind of stillness that makes a moment stay with you. It wasn’t just about fishing; it was about being together, hearing stories between casts, and feeling rooted in family. Back home, we’d spend evenings watching classic films and listening to my grandfather talk about his days working in the coal mines of eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia. Those memories — the trips, the stories, the laughter — shaped my love of history. They taught me that history isn’t distant or abstract; it’s family, it’s place, and it’s moments that stay with you long after the day ends.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://historicexplorations.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historicexplorations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/historicexplorations1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/historicexplorations
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@historicexplorations
